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From: <br />aetheridae(ciaol.com <br />To: <br />eComments, PBA <br />Subject: <br />Agenda #1: 2221 N. Heliotrope, Floral Park, Santa Ana <br />Date: <br />Saturday, March 26, 2022 3:23:37 PM <br />Good morning, <br />This letter is in reference to the above property and the owners' request for approval to build a 23+ foot <br />high, 205 square foot free standing Vietnamese pagoda in their backyard. This is in addition to the other <br />large structures they have already built in the backyard. Rhetorically, one might ask how many of these <br />outbuildings do they need? <br />I implore you to deny this request for a number of reasons: <br />1. Floral Park has been officially designated and registered as a historic neighborhood in the State of <br />California. One of the criteria for this designation is that the neighborhood be an outstanding example of a <br />period, style, or architectural movement. Residents involved with the Floral Park Association worked long <br />and hard to get this designation. <br />Most people who live in Floral Park are deeply committed to maintaining the ambiance of the <br />neighborhood, and the architectural integrity of the homes here. I've no wish to be misunderstood in these <br />culturally sensitive times, but the fact of the matter is that if one moves into Floral Park and, more <br />specifically, into an outstanding example of the Art Moderne style, then one shouldn't really be defacing <br />the property with large Vietnamese pagodas and tea houses that are visible from the street - as are the <br />dragons snaking across the roofs. These structures are clearly inappropriate for the home's original <br />architecture. <br />2. "The Maharaja House," as it is known, is a historic landmark listed on the Santa Ana Register of <br />Historic Places. This home is only one of two other examples of the Art Moderne style in Santa Ana. As <br />such, it is worth preserving, as are its surroundings. Why is that not being insisted upon? <br />3. The owners of this property have a history of ignoring any permit denials they receive from the City or <br />the Historic Resources Commission. Several years ago, they requested permission to change the roof <br />line on the home from flat to pitched. Since a flat roof line is one of the hallmarks of the Art Moderne style, <br />this change would have had a negative effect on the home's historic value and its appearance. <br />Their request was denied, but the owners went ahead anyway with the changes they wanted. This <br />resulted in the City filing misdemeanor charges and a conflict with the Historic Resources Commission. <br />The owners also replaced the original steel case windows in secret while the home was tented for <br />fumigation. They sought variance approval after the fact. <br />So it seems that the owners do what they want, and then the City slaps them on the wrist. This <br />encourages them to engage in the same behavior over and over again. Meanwhile, Floral Park's <br />architectural integrity suffers. Frankly, I find this appalling. <br />4. It is interesting that a large dumpster has appeared outside the home in the last 24 hours. Does this <br />indicate construction is on the horizon? Are the owners preparing to move forward regardless of the City's <br />decision? Forgive me, but this would fit the pattern of past behavior. <br />5. Finally, my understanding is that the home on Heliotrope isn't even a primary residence. I respectfully <br />suggest that the owners be told to build any future tea houses and/or pagodas on their other property. <br />Thank you. <br />Anne Etheridge <br />